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Trip from Lykens, PA to City of Scranton, PA

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

93 mi

150 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 48m ★
6 AM
1h 57m
8 AM
2h 14m
10 AM
2h 3m
12 PM
2h 1m
3 PM
2h 4m
5 PM
2h 13m
8 PM
1h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lykens, PA, PA

Lykens, PA

tengu jack

Downtown City of Scranton, PA, PA

City of Scranton, PA

Michael Taccetta

Trip Overview

This 93.5-mile drive from Lykens, PA, to the City of Scranton, PA, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 1 hour and 39 minutes. With a fuel cost around $15, it's an economical option for exploring the Northeast region of Pennsylvania. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including Main Street and PA 307, with no highway driving involved. This makes it a straightforward journey for those seeking a direct connection between these two points. Given its relatively short duration, you won't need to worry about an overnight stay, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

46.5 miles from Lykens, PA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 81 76.6 mi 1h 30m
Main Street 14.6 mi 22m
River Street 1 mi 1m
Cedar Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Market Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 81 — 76.6 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lykens, PA and City of Scranton, PA.

1

Start on Market Street

117 ft · 9 sec · Market Street
2

Turn right onto US 209

15 mi · 22 min · Main Street
3

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec
4

Merge onto I 81

77 mi · 1 hr 30 min · I 81
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward PA 307
6

Turn left onto River Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · River Street
7

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Arrive at destination

Cedar Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this drive is just under two hours, you have the advantage of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time in Scranton or Lykens. There are no designated stops on this route, so plan your breaks as needed, perhaps in one of the smaller towns you pass through. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $15 and there are no long highway stretches to guarantee frequent service areas. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to local road signage as you transition between Main Street and PA 307 to ensure you stay on track.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 46.5 miles from Lykens, PA, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.6 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 20 miles or 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 46.5 miles or 1h in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near City of Scranton, PA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lykens, PA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lykens, PA

This is one driving day of about 93 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Lykens, PA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 81 for about 76.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

borough in southwestern Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West Hazleton, PA

47 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Tremont, PA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

West Hazleton, PA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 46.5 miles from Lykens, PA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

ChargePoint Charging Station

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 93

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: 12–8 am

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 53.1

Hazleton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 93

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 93

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 93

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 79.7

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

+18668167584

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 86.3

Moosic, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 86.3

Pittston, Pennsylvania

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15706554116

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 92.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 209 / Main Street

Turn right onto US 209 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
14.6 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

3
15.1 mi into trip | ~23m in | I 81

Merge onto I 81

Merge point - match speed before joining

4
91.7 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward PA 307

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward PA 307
7
92.8 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | Cedar Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto Cedar Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.42 one way

$30.84 round trip

$4.21/gal 25.4 MPG avg 33 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.61 $16.89 $33.77
premium $4.93 $18.04 $36.07
diesel $5.61 $20.53 $41.07

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 32.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.9 0 $9.76 $4.46
Efficient EV 23.3 0 $8.14 $3.72
EV Truck/SUV 37.2 0 $13.02 $5.95

Gas CO2

33 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Lykens, PA

Morning in Lykens on Sunday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

City of Scranton, PA

Morning in City of Scranton on Sunday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

73°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

NW 5 to 8 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 56m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by p...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 9.6
Park Closure: List of trail closures post-Hurricane Helene
Caution: Black Bears Frequenting the McAfee Knob Area in Virginia
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 93.5-mile journey, as indicated by its 0% highway share. You'll navigate through communities and along state routes like PA 307. Without any significant highway stretches, the longest uninterrupted segment is not a defining feature of this route. The character remains consistent, focusing on navigating local roadways rather than covering long distances at high speeds. Be prepared for frequent turns and a more intimate driving experience through Pennsylvania's landscape.

82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
8 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.6 mi on I 81.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 81 and Main Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 209 / Main Street.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Lykens, PA to City of Scranton, PA is easy. At 1h 56m with 82% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 209 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.1 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 93 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 76.6 miles on I 81. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 209 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 14.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 15.1 miles (I 81): Merge point - match speed before joining.

Yes — Appalachian National Scenic Trail. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at City of Scranton, PA before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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